ONA, WV-The Ona Speedway will begin a busy stretch of races in the summer months on Saturday, June 4th with Throwback Night. The exciting 7 division racing card will feature Keaton’s Collision Center Late Models, McCam Builders Modifieds, Greg Chandler Frame & Body Sport Mods, Contempo Trophy & Awards UCAR’s, Southern Ohio Speed INEX Legends Car Pro, Geer Brothers Body Shop INEX Legends Car Semi-Pro, and SNAP Lawn & Handyman Crazy Compacts.
Throwback Night is a special night as we honor the storied history of the speedway that dates back to 1963. This year, Throwback Night will see a Champions Reunion where former track champions who are in attendance will be honored and a group photo taken. All fans are encouraged to wear throwback/vintage racing shirts to the event. Spencer Adkins, former track announcer and longtime meteorologist for WOWK 13 will return to the booth to call the races with current track announcer T. J. Layne.
The drivers of the Keaton’s Collision Center Late Models will all be chasing Jake Keaton who won the opening race of the season by a narrow margin. The last time Keaton did not win a Late Model race at Ona dates all the way back to October 2020. Keaton will no doubt have some competition Saturday though. Mike Burcham picked up a ton of speed over the offseason to finish third last race out while Gregg Carby and Jacob Bell finished 3rd and 4th respectively in their returns to the class. Mooresville, NC’s Tyler Johnson was right on Keaton’s bumper in the final corner the last race, nearly winning in his first ever race at Ona. While Johnson isn’t expected to run a full schedule at Ona, he will no doubt be back to the track this season to try to break Keaton’s winning streak.
The McCam Builders Modifieds and Greg Chandler Frame & Body Sport Mods return to action after a race off on May 21st. Defending track champion Andy Booten will try to continue where he left off on Opening Night by making it 2 for 2 to start the season. Modifieds that were not ready for Opening Night are anticipated to be in attendance Saturday to help boost the car count even more for the class, setting up what will be an exciting 25 lap feature for the class. Points leader Tyler Brown will look to pick up where he left off in the Sport Mods by taking his second win in a row on Saturday. Brown has a tough field of cars behind him though looking to take their first win of the season.
The story of the Contempo Trophy & Awards UCAR class has no doubt been Nick Fowler. Fowler won the UCAR portion of the Mountaineer 100 last November, won the Vores CTS Freedom Used Autos Fly By 40 at Ona on May 14th, then won the first points race for the class on May 21st. What makes all of this even more impressive is Fowler didn’t begin racing at Ona until April 2021. Fowler has faced strong competition each race though with Chris Deskins battling Fowler for the lead for much of the race back on May 21st. A tough field of cars will be looking to end Fowler’s winning streak and make their first trip to victory lane this season on Saturday.
Through two races in the Southern Ohio Speed INEX Legends Car Pro class, Steve Swann and Jake Keaton have continued their battle that started last season for the top spot in the class. Keaton won on May 14th while Swann won on May 21st. Tyler Martin and Steve Hass look to make it a four car battle for the top spot in the class as Martin has two consecutive third place finishes to start the season while Hass finished second on Opening Night. Expect another great 20 lap feature in this class on June 4th.
The Geer Brothers Body Shop INEX Legends Car Semi-Pro class has arguably been the most exciting class of the year so far. Last race out, Will Hass and Will Geer made contact on the final lap, giving the lead to Aaron Auffant on a green-white-checkered restart. Auffant went on to win his first race of the year while Hass, the Opening Night winner and points leader, charged from the tail to second in 2 laps. Auffant, Hass, Geer, Dale Garrett, and Adam Jeffrey were engaged in a competitive battle for the win for much of the race. Race #3 of the season for the class proves to be just as exciting on Saturday.
Bailey and Watson are two prominent names at Ona that go back many years. It was another Bailey vs Watson battle in the SNAP Lawn & Handyman Crazy Compacts on May 21st with Thomas Bailey taking the win and Stacie Watson finishing second. Preston Hysell picked up a ton of speed over the offseason and scored his best career finish in third on Opening Night, proving to be a challenger with the likes of Bailey, Watson and Proctor in the class. The Crazy Compacts will do battle to see who wins race #2 of the season on Saturday.
Throwback Night features one of the cheapest admission prices of the season as general admission is only $10 for ages 15 and up, $5 for ages 11-14, and free for ages 10 and under. All access pit passes are only $30 for ages 15 and up, $15 for ages 11-14, and free for ages 10 and under. Racing will start at 7:00 pm. There will be no Thursday practice due to the tire shortage. For more information including the complete event schedule for Saturday visit www.onaspeedway.com.
